How to subvert the traditional business model of the automotive industry

According to the Wall Street Journal, Ford Motor Corp. chairman Bill Ford Jr. said that for startups trying to overturn the traditional business model of the automotive industry, such as taxi service Uber and Lyft, He is open to their cooperation.

"Whether Uber or Lyft, or another company (car company), we are willing to cooperate with them." Small Bill Ford recently told the Wall Street Journal interview said, "We are willing to understand them, to see what good Instead of shutting them down or leaving them alone. "

Uber and Lyft have become more and more popular in recent years. They make it possible for people to make money by carrying their private cars and bringing convenience to consumers as well. At the same time, they have also raised concerns among executives in the automotive industry that they will crush the market demand for new cars.

Small Bill Ford said the company's board often talks about disruptive innovations, business models and market changes.

He argues that the automotive industry should embrace more environmentally-friendly practices and technologies. He said he joined Ford in 1988 when he said "I have to stop dealing with environmental groups." In fact, instead of doing so, he set up a "sustainability committee" to track the company's efforts to save water, reduce waste and increase the use of renewable materials.

Bill Bill Ford has shown that Ford CEO Alan Mulally must inject the idea of ​​sustainability into the company's business plan. That prompted Ford to use recycled materials on plastic products and soy sponges for car seats, and the company will introduce more hybrid vehicles later this year. Small Bill Ford stressed that the company was named Interbrand this year as "the world's best green brand."

In the past few years, Little Bill Ford's focus shifted to mobility - or to prevent immobility. Ford CEO-appointed CEO Mark Fields said in his speech that Ford is becoming a "mobility company," and that automakers should be involved in discussions on how to ease traffic jams in the city.

Some car manufacturers also expressed similar concerns. "The new technology is changing the way we look at cars and transportation," said Osamu Nagata, president of engineering and manufacturing operations at Toyota North America, on Friday.

The threat posed by urban traffic congestion to the automotive industry is becoming more apparent. For example, China's big cities are limiting new car registrations.

"We want to be the best car company and we're focused on that, but at the same time we recognize that the world we live in is changing and one of the problems we face is the congestion in cities," said Little Bill Ford, "I think any company should be committed to making people's lives better and solving problems for them."

To this end, Ford will seek to promote the spread of autonomous driving and semi-autonomous driving technology to explore or alleviate congestion problems car sharing project. (Hao Hui)